My So-Called Live

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In addition to the new gametypes, there are four new maps to battle on, including a very cool (literally!) one called Bonfires. Taking place in a large, wintery outdoor area, the map has several places where large, bright bonfires burn. This actually forces you to strategize quite a bit, as you must choose whether you want to stay in the shadows or use the blinding light of the fires to conceal your muzzle flashes. There's also a daytime version of Bonfires, as well as an abandoned missile site and a claustrophobic mountain pass.

In the Star Wars universe, few locations are more iconic than Jabba's Fortress. Home to the slug-like crimelord (and Han Solo's carbonite-encased body), the fortress is a maze of narrow hallways and stairwells. You can now download the Hutt's Palace for play in this popular title that features enormous, two-sided battles taken directly from the movies. In a nice touch, Jabba's actually sitting in his throne room (although Salacious Crumb and Bib Fortuna are nowhere to be seen), and his character model looks fantastic.

My favorite part of Jabba's Fortress actually made it into the game, as well, and it actually serves a purpose: the Rancor pit. Located under a set of trapdoors in front of Jabba's platform, the dark hole in the ground houses the ferocious Rancor, a hulking creature with razor-sharp claws and powerful jaws that can bite a Gammorean guard in two. You have to be careful, though, because if you get too close to him, he'll grab you and toss you into his mouth.

Overall, the new map is a lot of fun, and I found myself enjoying it more than most of the game's other maps (aside from Tatooine, which features a Sarlacc that can grab anyone who walks by). Since the map is the only one that features a sole indoor environment, there are plenty of close quarters firefights, as well as a bunch of places that are perfect for setting up chokepoints.

Well, there's our first update of what's new for your downloading pleasure on Xbox Live. As I said, I'll be bringing any more downloads to your attention at the end of my regular Xbox Live columns, so be sure to check in every two weeks!